(Someone else's) case for food addiction

Submitted by Michael on Mon, 02/22/2010 - 07:59

I am not, by any stretch, the only voice supporting recognition for food addiction. But since I'm the only writer here, it might sometimes seem that way.

That's one of the reasons that it's such a pleasure to pass on this commentary published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Written by three academics — Dr. Valerie H. Taylor of McMaster University and Claire M. Curtis and Caroline Davis, both of York University — the piece is credible, concise, and persuasive.

Here are its key points, as summarized by the journal:

• The causes of obesity are complex and specific to the individual.
• The core diagnostic constructs and neurologic findings linked to substance abuse are shared by some individuals with weight problems.
• Therapies traditionally applied to the area of addiction may be helpful in managing weight problems.

The entire piece is worth reading. I'm delighted to be on their side.

Speaking at Commonwealth Club

I will be speaking on the topic of food addiction at the Commonwealth Club of California, the oldest public affairs forum in the country, on Feb. 28. I'll be joining a fabulous panel of researchers and clinicians: Nicole Avena of Princeton and the University of Florida, Eric Stice of the Oregon Research Institute, Vera Tarman of Renascent Center of Toronto, abd Elissa Epel and Andrea Garber, both of the University of California at San Francisco. I am very excited to be part of the roster, not to mention to be appearing at such a great institution. Ticket information here; if you come, please stay afterward to say hello.

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